RLS Value to Select the Semantic Model

[fxs7576_02]

Hi PowerBI Community,

I have one embedded report that uses RLS on a very large semantic model. So I want to break it down into four semantic models:

• dataset_France
• dataset_Nigeria
• dataset_Vietnam
• dataset_Canada

With Dynamic Security (here), does anyone know if it's possible to select the semantic model according to the value of the username? For e.g.:

• If [CountryRegionCode] = 'Nigeria', the report will use dataset_Nigeria.
• If [CountryRegionCode] = 'Canada', the report will use dataset_Canada.

When I tried to do so, I got the following error:

Best regards

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the reply from lbendlin , please allow me to provide another insight:

Hi, @fxs7576_02 

Could you please let us know if lbendlin's  response resolved your issue? If it did, kindly accept it as the solution.

1.Firstly, I concur with lbendlin ’s viewpoint. Power BI does not support the dynamic switching of datasets within the same report. While it is possible to use parameters to dynamically change data sources in Power Query, this typically occurs during the data loading phase rather than allowing for dynamic dataset switching at runtime.
Please refer to the relevant documentation for further details:

Data refresh in Power BI - Power BI | Microsoft Learn
Change the Source of Power BI Datasets Dynamically Using Power Query Parameters - RADACAD

Therefore, I recommend connecting your reports to various semantic models to construct a composite semantic model. Below are the data sources supported by semantic models:

As demonstrated, Power BI enables the creation of composite models, allowing you to combine multiple data sources, including DirectQuery and imported data. You can use DirectQuery in Power BI Desktop to connect to other Power BI datasets or Azure Analysis Services, thereby merging multiple semantic models into a single report.

2.Secondly, when merging models, you can establish relationships between tables as usual. Even if these tables originate from different data sources, Power BI permits the creation of relationships, which are treated as many-to-many relationships.
 

Moreover, dynamic Row-Level Security (RLS) for many-to-many relationships is currently supported. Please refer to the relevant documentation for further details:

Solved: Dynamic RLS By Group and Many to Many - Microsoft Fabric Community

3.Lastly, it’s important to note that the owner of a composite model must have Build permissions on the semantic models used as sources, so that other users can access these models on behalf of the owner.

4.Please refer to the relevant documentation for further details:

Use composite models in Power BI Desktop - Power BI | Microsoft Learn 
Of course, if you have any new ideas, you are welcome to contact us.
 

Best Regards,

Leroy Lu

If this post helps, then please consider Accept it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly.

[lbendlin · Accepted solution]

No, you would need to still connect to all the data models, but you could use the RLS to control all their fact tables.